ONE half of the team who founded Poole’s world-renowned luxury boatbuilder Sunseeker has announced his retirement.

John Braithwaite is standing down after 53 years with the company he set up with his brother Robert.

His retirement was announced ahead of his 70th birthday celebrations this month.

Mr Braithwaite started work in 1964 with Friars Cliff Marine, which became Poole Powerboats when it moved to the town in 1969. It was renamed Sunseeker International in 1985.

The brothers wanted to build a new kind of boat at a time when there were no significant boat builders for the sports and leisure markets in the UK.

John Braithwaite’s career stretched form their first 17ft open-cockpit speedboat to the flagship 155 Yacht.

The company said he had “dedicated much of his life to the brand” and had guided the in-house design team for the past five decades.

He was instrumental in developing many of its models, including the Superhawk, the Predator 108 and more recently, the company’s fastest-selling model, the Manhattan 52.

Sunseeker said he had also been “a valuable source of inspiration and guidance for the current Sunseeker executive team”.

Sunseeker boats have been featured in four James Bond films – and repeatedly referred to as the craft coveted by the title character in last year’s superhero hit Logan.

Sunseeker International chief executive Phil Popham said: “There is no doubt that John is, and will remain, one of our industry icons.

“What he has achieved is truly momentous. John has always remained true to building the very best in pleasure craft, utilising the latest technologies and delivering every customer’s dream.

“John has been involved in designing some of our most renowned boats and on behalf of the whole Sunseeker family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the huge contribution he has made to the brand and the industry.

“John will, of course, continue to be an important ambassador for us and I look forward to welcoming him back to Sunseeker events and celebrations in the future but in the meantime we would all like to wish him a very well-deserved retirement.”

John Braithwaite said: “I feel immensely privileged to have been part of such an incredible brand and organisation. Since our early days, Robert and I have strived to deliver to our clients the most innovative and exciting products available.

“That philosophy, together with strong, iconic design has been fundamental to our success and I know this will continue to be a driver for the talented design and development team I leave behind. I would like to thank them all for their dedication over the years.”